Rikhabdev or Kesariyaji Pilgrimage Center

Distance : 40km from Udaipur

¤ Rikhabdev

Better known as Kesariyaji, is situated 40km from Udaipur. It is dedicated to Lord Rikhabdev, the first jain Tirthankara. Rikhabdev is well known for its Adinath or Rikhabdev Temple.
*The antiquity of its existence cannot be traced but it was repaired in the 14th and 15th centuries.

*Around 2km from Rikhabdev there is a place known as Pagliyaji where the footprints of Lord Rikhabdev are placed and worshipped .

*A big fair is held annually in the month of Chaitra (Mar/Apr) on the birthday of Lord Rikhabdev


¤ The Temple Attractions

Rikhabdev is famous only for its temple dedicated to Lord Rikhabdev, the first Jain Tirthankara. Rikhabdev is also claimed by the Vaishnavas as the eighth Avatar of Lord Vishnu. The temple belongs to the Svetambara sect of the Jains but at present is under the control of the State of Rajasthan. The temple is better known as Kesariyaji, derived from kesar or saffron that is put on the forehead of the idol of the Lord. The tribals, Bhils, who worship the idol, call it Kalaji due to the black image of the idol. The town of Rikhabdev is also known as Dhulev as the Bhil Dhula had once protected the idol and worshipped it at this place. The Bhils are very loyal to this Lord and always take an oath by uttering the name of Kalaji. No sign or inscription as such has been found about the origin of the idol but it is believed that it is very ancient. Locals here say that the idol was there during the times of Ravana, the anti-hero of the epic Ramayana (see Ancient Scriptures & Folklore). It is also said that Ravana had carried the idol with him to Sri Lanka (Ceylon) from Nandan Vana (forest) and Rama brought it back with him after his conquest of Lanka. King Shripal and his wife Menasundari later installed it at Ujjain. After that it was taken to Baghad region for some years, from where it came back hidden in a tree. The idol was retrieved by Dhula Bhil when it appeared in his dreams. The deity of Kesariyaji is said to be so strong and influential that it has fulfilled the wishes of most of his worshippers. The pilgrims, whose wishes have been granted, besmear the idol with kesar or saffron often equal to the weight of their child born.

The temple was repaired in the 14th and 15th centuries and the oldest inscription found on the temple is that of 1424AD. The altar of the temple was built in the 14th century. Just before the courtyard and in front of the main temple there is an idol of Marudevi Mata, the mother of Lord Rikhabdev, seated on a marble elephant.


¤ Pagliyaji Palace

Around 2km from the temple of Rikhabdev there is a place known as Pagliyaji, where the footprints of Lord Rikhabdev are placed in a cenotaph and worshipped quite dedicatedly. Just beside the chhatri (cenotaph) there is a trunk of a tree from where it is believed that the idol came out. In front of the tree there is another shrine where the idol of the Lord is enclosed in a hall. A big fair is held annually in the month of Chaitra (Mar/Apr) on the birthday of Lord Rikhabdev, when a procession of the Lord proceeds from the temple to Pagliyaji.